Grip size?
- Thread starter nvr2old
- Start date
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Preferred/popular grip sizes have decreased somewhat for the modern game. I have rather long fingers. Back in the day, I was using a 5 grip but in the past 20+ years, I am most comfortable with a 4 grip. Don't even see 5 grips in stock very often these days. More common to see 3 and 4 grip sizes.
I believe that the smaller grip size may be more conducive to employing wrist action and, possibly, more forearm rotation on groundstrokes. The greater topspin (and other spins) we see in the modern game can be generated with more forearm rotation and more wrist action. In days gone by, the wrist remained fairly firm for much of a stroke -- especially before and during the contact phase. I am not suggesting that your strokes should become very wristy but there will be some wrist release before and after contact.
If you are prone to wrist, forearm or elbow injury, you might be better off with a larger grip. However, a grip that is much too large could result in GE or other issues if you are gripping too tightly (too much of the time). With the proper grip size, you should be able to maintain a fairly relaxed grip that will firm up naturally as the racket head is accelerated into contact. On your follow-thru your grip should be, once again, relaxed. With a grip that is much too small or too large, this might be more difficult to do.
I believe that the smaller grip size may be more conducive to employing wrist action and, possibly, more forearm rotation on groundstrokes. The greater topspin (and other spins) we see in the modern game can be generated with more forearm rotation and more wrist action. In days gone by, the wrist remained fairly firm for much of a stroke -- especially before and during the contact phase. I am not suggesting that your strokes should become very wristy but there will be some wrist release before and after contact.
If you are prone to wrist, forearm or elbow injury, you might be better off with a larger grip. However, a grip that is much too large could result in GE or other issues if you are gripping too tightly (too much of the time). With the proper grip size, you should be able to maintain a fairly relaxed grip that will firm up naturally as the racket head is accelerated into contact. On your follow-thru your grip should be, once again, relaxed. With a grip that is much too small or too large, this might be more difficult to do.
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nvr2old
Hall of Fame
Yep suspected it had to do with the heavy reliance on topspin today. Interestingly I used a 4 5/8 many rears ago and don't have large hands. Was fitted to a 4 3/8 recently and actually have been using a 4 1/4. Funny though I don't remember having problems with generating topspin with the 4 5/8 though. Agree with the light grip idea. Played baseball and golf and it applied there also. Like holding a baby bird I was once told. Seems to work.
kingp1ng
New User
My true grip size is 4 3/8 but I've used 4 1/2 since my high school years because my wrist action led to many air balls / off center shots. This is probably because I never had a coach so instead of fixing my form, I compensated by going up 1 grip size. My 16 yr old self noticed a near instant improvement in shot consistency so I just stuck with it. In the grand scheme of things, going up 1 grip size isn't that BIG of a deal.
The next racquet I buy I'll probably get a 4 3/8 grip.
The next racquet I buy I'll probably get a 4 3/8 grip.
2
2HBH-DTL
Guest
I've always used 4 1/2 since high school as well. Allows me to not grip the handle TOO tightly even though I still do at times. I feel if i went to anything smaller i would start having wrist problems or my hand would cramp more. I demoed a racquet that had a 4 3/8 grip size and absolutely hated it. Racquet kept twisting in my hand and was not stable at all for me. Idk how people use anything less than 4 1/2 honestly!
